It’s All In Perception: What’s Your Emphasis?

We were blessed with the opportunity to get away for a few days to a place I’d never been. Our daughter likewise had never been to this place so there were all kinds of things she was seeing that sparked excitement in her. When we passed a restaurant named “Del Taco”, my daughter yelled in excitement, “Free Shavacadoo!!!” Now, if you’re not up on pop culture, memes, vines, gifs, and the like, let me explain; this was referring to a very popular video clip of a woman who chose to emphasize the wrong syllable. Fresh Avocado became Free Shavacadoo. Why am I talking about this?! Because this brings up a very important element of faith, that is, perception.

Look at Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Perception is a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something, or a mental impression. Colossians 3:2 tells us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” We need to perceive things the way Heaven perceived them, not the way the world does. What does all this mean? What am I getting at with this strange Faith Fix? This Free Shavacadoo woman simply perceived the words to say something else. She took, (albeit she was joking, I think), the words plainly visible and perceived them to mean something different.

What about when the doctor gives you a bad report? What about when the writing says you have 6 months to live? Can you perceive that the way Heaven would? Romans 4:17 reminds us of this, “…God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…” I don’t care what the doctor report says, I shall live and not die. I’m the healed of the Lord by the stripes of Jesus! What about when the bank account says you can’t pay your bills? There’s no remaining balance but you can perceive that balance being replenished! My God supplies all my needs!

Look at Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” God framed this world with that which had never existed before. He created all things and He did this by faith. Heaven sees possibility. Heaven sees ability.

Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Set your mind on things above! Who doesn’t want to live with Free Shavacadoo?